Day 1 :
Keynote Forum
Han-Sup Han
Humboldt State University, USA
Keynote: Biomass Energy: A Forest Management Perspective
Time : 10:00-10:35
Biography:
Dr. Han-Sup Han’s current research efforts focus on the production of quality feedstocks and development of innovative biomass feedstock logistics systems. Recently, Dr. Han, along with 13 Co-PIs (Principal Investigators) and research partners, has received a $5.88 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to conduct biomass research on the utilization of forest residues for production of bioenergy and biobased products. The research collaboration effort integrates three major tasks of 1) production of quality feedstock, 2) development of mobile biomass conversion technologies, and 3) economic/environmental analysis, as explained in the research project web site at www.wastetowisdom.com.
Abstract:
Forest residues increases forest fire hazards and impede the forest management activities such as tree planting and thinning operations. Logging residues are commonly burned on site however; open burning is not only costly and risky, but also causes problems including air emissions and damage to the soil due to the hot fires. In addition to logging residues, many small-diameter trees that are generated from fuel-reduction thinning activities, dead/dying trees due to insects/diseases and due to droughts need to be disposed. Biomass energy has been well served as a way of disposing forest residues. The production of energy by utilizing these forest residues create many other benefits which includes enhancing environmental protection, reducing fire hazards, creating local jobs with business opportunities, and facilitating forest management activities. In the US, there were an estimated 97 million dry tons of woody biomass for energy that could be sustainably available at a price of 60$ per dry ton. Low market values (<50 $/bone dry ton) for the woody biomass prevents the activity of forest management for the energy production in the western US. More recently there have been many federal- and state-level policies and regulations enacted to encourage the use of renewable energy including biomass, and with these changed market conditions and favorable policy support, biomass energy may be a desirable solution to help manage the forest residue disposal issues. This presentation illustrates the issues that forest residues create in the Western US and explains the new efforts that have been made to cost-effectively utilize (i.e. dispose of) these residues for energy production.
Keynote Forum
Bo G Eriksson
Swedish center for applied sociology AB, Sweden
Keynote: Desertcultivation and its contribution to the greening of the world
Time : 10:35-11:10
Biography:
Bo G Eriksson retired from the University of Gothenburg. He has his Ph. D. in Sociology from the University of Gothenburg where he has held a position as lecturer and taught at several university departments. His main research has been as a member of the interdisciplinary team H-70 studying ageing longitudinally. By this paper he returns to an interest developed during his high school years. rn
Abstract:
The speech gives an simple review of the possibilities of using waste bio-mass for agroforestry in arid and semi-arid areas. In these areas there are to two key factors: water and soil carbon content. Atmosphere humidity is a valuable source of water which puts less stress on groundwater and surface water assets. As recently mentioned in Nature organic fibre could be used to enrich the soil carbon content. Such agricultural methods have successfully been practised in the Sahel area using locally produced agricultural waste and leaves from trees.rnLarge quantities of organic fibre waste are presently burned in in Europe. As an alternative to burning there are three benefits of using organic fibres to enhance soil carbon content in deserts. 1 Burning organic carbon releases CO2 to the atmosphere while placing it as a soil layer it preserves the carbon in the ground, 2 The new vegetation in earlier barren land collects CO2 from the air. 3 The vegetation and the layer of soil with a higher carbon content also collect and preserve more water from dew fall and mist. rnAs an example organic textile waste can be of special interest as the recycling processes are underdeveloped in Europe and. At least 5% of the fibres are so worn that they do not qualify for other recycling processes. There are of course lots of difficulties to solve. Agroforestry in these areas would also contribute to living conditions of populations, but also to conflicts with current activities in the areas.rn
Keynote Forum
Arthur T. House
Maine Woods Biomass Exports- LLC, USA
Keynote: Expanding Wood Chip Exports via Long-Term International Relationships: Trust & Commitment Relationships - Developing Enduring Transactions
Time : -
Biography:
Exporter of Phytosanitized Wood Chips for Combined Heat & Power (CHP) and High Quality Wood Chips for Paper Manufacturing. MWBE recently earned and acquired its Phytosanitation Approval Certificate from USDA-APHIS and shipped to Germany for Kraft paper production. MWBE is under long-term (12 – 15 year) contract for the supply of Heat Treated Phytosanitized Wood Chips for CHP use. Output also includes a trademarked energy wood chip, E = MC3 for CHP to be exported as compressed bales at a density approaching wood pellets.
Abstract:
This presentation focuses on factors motivating the trend toward the enhanced duration of a buyer-seller relationship which will lead to long-term contractual relationships in an effort to contribute to a better understanding of the driving forces of ‘Trust and Commitment’ and their impact on the importing firms\' performance in an exponentially expanding market context. Traditional sales of wood chips exported from most North American suppliers are concluded as discrete transactions or ‘spot market’ transactions. In the business world and in academia, the reference to a “discreet transaction†is one that relationships can be built upon, however, it is in it’s pure form one that transpires having had no history between the parties, nothing ever has been nor ever will be. This is akin to there being money on one side of the ocean and the commodity (Wood Chips) on the other. One discrete transaction in the offering (spot sale) and no more expected to follow. At the core of Trust & Commitment marketing is exchange that is profitable to parties involved in the exchange. The concept of exchanges as it applies to Trust & Commitment marketing is viewed from either a transaction cost analysis approach or a social exchange theory approach. The ultimate goal in developing the enduring relationship is to foster and maintain a competitive advantage over rival firms in the industry.